Vacuum sealing machine



June 24, 1930. A, P 5DEL 1,767,475

VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Fil ed Dec. 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l IIIHHHHHPINVENTOR June 24, 1930.

A. PODEL 1,767,475

VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Fiied Dec. 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z INVENTORA. PODEL VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Filed 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 k mh E w A NI Q Q Q Q5 N Q g INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 24, 1930. PODEL 1,767,475-

VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 XNVENTORJrafiam P052! ATTORNEY Patented June 24 1930 l UNITED s'mxrssPATEN'IQ-QFFICE ABRAHAM PODEL, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORTO ANCHOR CA1 &

CLOSURE CORPORATION, OF LONG- ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK; A.

NEW YORK CORPORATION OF vacuum SEALING MACHINE Application filedDecember 1?, 1524. Serial No. 756,416.

I The present invention relates to sealing machmes and more particularlyto a'combined sealing and exhausting machine.

An object of-the present invention is to 5 provide a combined sealingand exhausting machine in which the vacuum chamber is of minimum size topermit a maximum evacuafrom the space above the die, thereby minimizingthe quantity to be exhausted.

. Another object 1s to provide a vacuum chamber having a pair of diestherein for forming hermetic side seals on vessels with one of said diescooperating with a vessel to form the bottom of said chamber wherebyonly a portion of the vessel is in the chamber during the exhausting andsealing operation. A further object is the provision of a yoke adaptedto engage a vessel adjacent its sealing zone and to cooperate withanother die adapted to move downwardly to engage and seal the vessel;the provision of a gasket attached to the split die to engage the vesseland prevent leakage between it and the die and to form a vacuum chamberabove the die; and the provision of a conduit connecting said dies atall times with a pump cylinder to exhaust the air therefrom on thedownward stroke of the piston and during the sealing operation.

A still further object is the provision of a die having a plurality ofparts adapted to encircle the neck of a container to form one of a pairof opposed dies for the sealing thereof; the provision of gasket memberson said parts to form an air tight joint between the die and thecontainer; and the provision of a ring gasket engaging the upper part ofsaid die and the housing of the vacuum chamber to prevent leakagetherebetween.

A still further. object is the provision of a vacuum sealing machine inwhich only the upper part of the vessel is inserted in the to open andclose a-split die, said die beingof the machine, whereby the propersequential operation of the various mechanisms is maintained at alltimes irrespective of the speed of the shaft, and the vacuum is likewisesubstantially independent of the speed.

Further objects of this invention contemplate a machine of the abovecharacteristics which is of such strong and simple construction and suchaccurate operation as to insure its proper performance under allconditions commonly encountered in this class of work; and to provide asealing machine adapted to exhaust air from a contamer in a singlestroke without impairing the degree of vacuum which is ordinarilyrequired in this class of work.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of-the illustrated embodiment about to be described orwill be obvious from the accompanying drawings or indicated in theappended claims, and "various advantages secured by the invention otherthan those hereinafter specifically referred to will occur to oneskilled in the art or become evident upon the employmentof the inventionin practice.

A preferred form of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawingsin which k Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine taken from the sealingend thereof the line 55 of Fig. 4 showing details of the sealingmechanism;

Figs. 6 and 7 are detailed views of one of the sealing dies shown inclosed and opened positions respectively;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing die shown in Figs. 6 and7 taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6; i

Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the operation of the clutch; and

Fig. 10.is a cross-sectional view along the line 10-10 of Fig. 1 showingcertain of the cams in detail.

At the present time, practically all types of fruits and vegetables arecooked and sealed in packages to preserve them and to facilitate theirdistribution to various housewives in different localities. Certaintypes of canned goods are difficult to preserve for an indefinite periodof time unless they are sealed in a vacuum; in fact, practically allcanned goods keep much better when they are sealed in this manner.

Various types of machines have been used heretofore in the art forexhausting air from vessels and thereafter forming hermetic seals.thereon. A familiar type of machine is one in which the vessel isplaced in a closed chamher having a sealing mechanism therein and inwhich the air is exhausted from the chamber by connecting it to a sourceof vacuum maintained by independent machines. In many instances, severalmachines are connected to the same source of vacuum. One of theobjections to this type of apparatus is that a very expensive vacuumproducing machine is required even for the operation of a single sealingmachine. The operator of the sealing machine seldom pays carefulattention to the vacuum machines and frequently the speed of the sealingmachine is brought up to a point where sufiicient vacuum is not createdand then the vessels have insufiicient vacuum and their contents areruined.

To remedy these difliculties, vacuum pumps have been made an integralpart of the sealing machine and as in other machines, the vessel isplaced in the-vacuum chamber and the pump makes several strokes toreduce the vacuum to the desired degree. This necessitates a loss oftime and efficiency and frequently the operator shuts off the pump toosoon, and many of the packages are spoiled.

Other attempts have been made to produce an independent unit in whichthe vacuum chamber is reduced in size to enable the pump to exhaust theair in a single stroke. In these machines, it is necessary to shape thevacuum chamber to fit about the vessel to minimize the free space forair. Considerable trouble is occasioned because for a different shapedVessel, the entire chamber has to be changed accordingly. Furthermore,the excess space about the side wall of the vessel increases, the amountof air to be exhausted and accordsquare and of various diameters andsize, but 7 generally, the necks of the vessels are of substantially thesame size and shape in all instances. I

The present machine makes use of this feature and encircles the neck ofa vessel with one of the sealing dies and interposes a gasket betweenthe vessel and the die whereby an air tight joint is formed. Only theupper end of the vessel is in the vacuum chamber and accordingly, theair to be exhausted is reduced to a minimum.

The lower die closes about the neck of the vessel as soon as the pistonof the air pump begins its downward stroke to exhaust the air from thevessel. At the completion of the stroke, an upper die moves downwardlyinto engagement with the lower die and the closure to form ahermeticseal between the vessel and the .closure. In this way, a lessexpensive and more efficient machine is produced which will produce thedesired vacuum for all vessels and seal them at a very rapid rate.

Referring generally to the machine, an electric motor is provided at oneend to drive a shaft on which a number of cams are mounted and to whichan exhausting piston is eccentrically attached. One of the cams controlsa valve which opens the pump cylinder to atmosphere at the completion ofthe sealing operation to break the vacuum existing in the cylinder andvacuum chamber. Another cam controls the lower split die and opens it topermit the insertion of the upper portion of a vessel therebetween,thereafter closing it to form an air tight chamber above the die andabout the mouth of the vessel. The die is held in closed position by apin which passes through its free ends and which is operated by a cam onthe main drive shaft. The down stroke of the piston exhausts the airabove the split die. At substantially the termination of the strokeanother cam through a toggle mechanism presses an upper die intoengagement with the closure on the vessel and with the split die to forma hermetic side seal on the vessel. The vacuum chamber is made as smallas possible by a housing therein, and by the shape of the variousportions of the sealing dies. A ring gasket adjustable in position fitsabout the split die and the housing to form an air tight jointtherebetween. A movable vessel support is cam controlled whereby thevessel placed upon the support is moved upwardly in coordination withthe other mechanisms so that the upper part of the vessel is insertedthrough the split die at the proper. in-

ing 6 is formed on the upper side of the cast-' ing 4 beneath the motorseat to receive a shaft 7 having asmall gear 8 at one end thereof and alarge gear 9 and hand wheel 10 at the other end thereof. The gear 9meshes with a gear 11 on the motor shaft 12. A suitable casing 14extends from the casting 4 and encloses the gears 9 and 11. Suitablebearings 15, 16' and 17 are formed in the center of the casting 4 and inthe sides of the hollow frame 1 respectively to accommodate a shaft 18which is connected to the motor 5 by a gear 19 rigidly mounted thereonand meshing with gear 8 on shaft 7.

The hollow casting constituting the framework of the machine has itsupper portion formed into'a cylinder 20 having a piston 21 adapted toreciprocate therein. The piston is of the usual form having suitablepiston rings and fittings to prevent air from escaping between it. andthe cylinder walls, and forms with thecylinder a suitable exhaust pumpfor producing a vacuum in the containers to be sealed as describedhereinafter. The piston 21 is attached to a piston rod 22 mounted on acrank 24,formed intermediate of the two parts of the shaft 18 andadjacent bearings 16 and 17 in the framework of the machine.

A valve 25 (see Fig. 1) is formed in the head of cylinder 20 to open itto atmosphere upon completion of the sealing operation, which issubstantially at the termination of the downward stroke of the piston,to break the existing vacuum. The valve is controlled by a cam .26,mounted on shaft 18, through a cam roller 27 and rod28 mounted inbearings 29 and 30 attached to the framework of the machine, and throughan extension 31 attached to a valve stem 32. The extension 31 is mountedbetween nuts 34 on the end of rod 28 and is held firmly in positionthereby. A

valve 25 and opening into the cylinder, and

apertures 39 in the upper part of the valve.

Preferably the disc 37 remains unseated until the vacuum is broken anduntil the vacuum chamber is opened; thereafter air on the upward strokeof the piston may escape through the conduit leading to the vacuumchamber.

A plate145 is mounteduon the framework of the machine and provided witha tongue 42 having flared edges 44 adapted to fit into a cooperatingchannel in a vessel support 41 to form a slidable dove-tail connectionbetween the plate and the support. A slit (not shown) in the back of thesupport 41 extending longitudinally of the channel therein permits a setscrew 46 having a handle 47 to draw the sides of the channel intoclamped relation with the tongue 42 to fix the position of the support41 with respect to the framework of the machine. A movable seat 49 isprovided in thesupport 41 and adapted to accommodate a vessel. Theposition of the vessel on the seat is determined 1 by the extensions 50against which the vessel rests when placed upon the seat. A rod 51 ismounted in suitable bearings 55 and 56 in extensions 52 and 54 on theframework of'the machine. A casing 57 is attached to the extensions byscrews 58 to enclose the mechanisms mounted therebetween. A thirdbearing 59 is formed in the bottom of the support 41 likewise to receivethe rod 51. A sleeve 60 is slidably mounted on the upper end of the rod'and attached to the seat 49 to accommodate a spring 61 making aresilient connection between the rod and the seat. At the lower end ofthe rod, a cam follower 62 contacts with cam 64 and moves the rod 51 ina vertical direction through a sleeve 65 attached to the cam followerand the rod.

A spring 66 is seated on they rod 51 between the enlargement 67 and thebearing 59 to maintain the follower in contact with the cam at alltimes. In order to prevent the seat 49 from descending too rapidly andjarring the contents of the vessel 68 or breaking the same, an airchamber 69 is provided in the support 41 and a conduit 70 connects it toatmosphere through the bleed valve 71 so that the rate of descent may beadjusted as desired independently of the cam 64.

j A split die 72 shown in detail in Figs. 5, I

6, 7, and Sis adapted to encircle the neck of the vessel 68 to form anair tlght Joint there- 'between so that a vacuum may be produced abovethe die. The die consists essentially of a pair of cooperating members74 and 75 hinged at one end by means of a bolt 76 anchored to theframework. The other ends of the parts have apertures 77 therein adaptedto fit over each other when the parts are closed to receive a lockingbolt 78. As will be seen in Fig.8, the inner die ring 79 of the members74 and 75 has its inner circumference shaped at 83 to form one face of adie which engages the lower portion of a bead on the closure of acontainer. A metallicring 80 fits over a gasket 81 and is bolted to thedie member 79 by screws 82. The inner edge of the gasket extends beyondthe inner edge of the die member 79 and also extends downwardly to coverthe ring 80 so that when the die member 72 is closed about a vessel, thegasket engages the vessel and prevents the metallic portions of the diefrom contacting therewith, and at the same time forms a very effectiveseal therebetween. The outer circumference of the die member 79 has aflange formed therein adapted to fit in a channel 84 of holding members86, and is rigidly attached thereto by screws 87.

A yoke member 88 having arms 89 is ec centrically secured with respectto the bolt 76 to the hinged members 74 and 75. Asmall shaft 91supported in bearings 92 and- 94 is attached to the center of the yoke88 and adapted to open and close the split die 72 when reciprocated in ahorizontal direction. A pin 95 extends through the center of the shaftand has its respective ends in slots 96 formed in link 97 on sleeve 98which is rotatably mounted on shaft 99. A second link 100 also mountedon said sleeve is attached to a cam rod 101 leading to a lever 102fulcrumed on the frame of the machine at 104, and having a cam roller105 engaging the cam 106 adjacent cam 64. The rod 101 is broken at itscenter and threaded to accommodate a sleeve 107 which adjusts the lengthof the rod as desired. An adjustment nut 108 locks the sleeve inposition. A vacuum chamber 110 is formed above the split die 72 by meansof a housing 111, the framework of the machine and a ring gasket 112.The

ring gasket extends circumferentially about the housing and contactswith it and with the split die 72, to prevent the entrance of airtherebetween. The ring gasket is inturned at 1ts lower edge to provide abetter contactlng surface and to form a more secure joint. The upperedge is attached to a holding ring 114 which is in turn attached to apair of bolts 115 slidably mounted in slots 116. The ring gasket 112 ismovable vertically by means of the arms 113 keyed to the bolt 117 at oneend and attached to the bolts 115 at the other end. One of the arms 113has a pro ection 123 adapted to be engaged by a set screw 133 on thesleeve 149 to press the gasket against the split die when the shaft 1461s rocked to move the sleeve 149 downwardly. In this way, the ringgasket engages the lower die firmly prior to the sealing operatlon toform a closed chamber about the upper end of the vessel. An upper die118 1s hollowed at 119 to fit over the vessel closure and has acircumferential flange 120 to engage the bead thereon and press itagainst the lower split die 72, to form a side seal. A shaft 121 extendsthrough the frame Work of the machine and into the vacuum chamber toengage the threaded stem of the die 118. Suitable packing 122 is held inposition by a sleeve 124 to prevent leakage of air between the shaft andthe framework. The upper end of the shaft is attached to a link 125which in turn is attached to links 126 and 127' to form a togglemechanism, the link 127 being attached to a bolt 128 adjustably mountedin the upper end of the framework of the machine, and held againstrotation by screw 129. The link 126 is attached to an L shaped sleeve130 on a shaft 131, the other leg of the sleeve engaging the upper endof a cam rod 132 which is attached to a slotted head 134 adapted toreciprocate upwardly and downwardly on the shaft 18. A cam roller 135 isbolted to the head 134 and slides in the cam channel 136 in cam 26. Thecam rod 132 is mounted in bearings 137 and 138 formed in extensions fromthe framework of the machine. The upper end of the rod is screw threadedwith a spring 139 mounted between a pair of nuts to hold the L-shapedsleeve 130 against the upper end of the rod so that the pressing diewill be operated through the intermediation of a spring.

The split die 72 is held in position against the framework of themachine by means of member 141 bolted to the framework and engaging thelower side of the die. A bar 142 is placed intermediate the split dieand plate 45 to hold the other edge of member 141 in position. The splitdie is locked in closed position by the pin 78 actuated by cam 144,through cam follower 133, member 143, suitably mounted on the frameworkof the machine, rod 145, and shaft 146. The shaft 146, mounted insuitable bearings 147 on the framework of the machine, has on itsrespective ends, sleeves 148 and 149 adapted to engage the cam rod 145and the pin 78 respectively. Suitable bearings 150 hold the pin inalignment while it is being actuated by sleeve 149.

When the movable seat 49 is raised by cam 64 to position the vesselbetween the parts of the split die 72, the cam 106 operates through thecam rod 101 to close the split die about the neck of the vessel and forman air tight joint therebetween, the upper edge of the split dieengaging the ring gasket 112 to press it firmly against the vacuumchamber housing 111. The cams are so positioned on the shaft 18 that thepiston 21 is substantially at its upper position when the split die isin closed position at which time the piston has started its downwardstroke to exhaust the air from the vacuum chamber through the conduit152. When the piston reaches substantially its lower position the cam 26operates through cam rod 132 and its associated toggle mechanism topress the upper die into cooperation with the split die 72 to form ahermetic side seal between the closure and the vessel. The cams 26 and106 then operate to return the dies to their position and to lower thevessel to the support 41.

Since considerable power is required to operate the entire machineincluding the vacuum pump, it is desirable to shut off the entiremechanism while the sealed jar is being removed from the seat 49 and anempty jar is being replaced. To ,do this, a suitable clutch 160 may beinserted to disconnect the gear 19 from the shaft 18. Preferably, theclutch is of the. form shown in detail in Fig. 9, wherein the gear 19has a projection 161 adapted to be engaged by a member 162.

v The member 162 is inserted in the aperture 164 extending through thesleeve 165 keyed to shaft 18. The member 162 is heldagainst the gear 19by a spring 166. .-A channel 167 i is formed in the sleeve 165 toreceive a clutch member 168 having a curved cam surface 169, adapted toengage a similar cam surface 170 formed in the member 162 to disengagethe same from the gear 19. Theclutch member 168 is seated in a barrel171 and retained in its upper position by a spring 172. Its lower end isattached to a treadle 174 at 175, the treadle being fulcrumed at 176 sothat a pressure upon its end 177 disengages the clutch member from themember 162 and permits it to engage the projection 161 and operate theentire machine.

In the operation of the machine, the operator places a filled jar on theseat 49 against the positioning member 50 and presses downwardly thetreadle 174 to operate the clutch 160 and rotate the shaft 18. As soonas the clutch starts the rotation of shaft 18, the treadle 174 ispermitted to return to its normal position, so that at the end of asingle revolution, the shaft 18 will be stopped.

During this single revolution, the cam 64 raises the jar to the sealingposition shown in Fig. 4 and cam 106 through cam rod 101 operates theyoke 88 to close the split die about the upper end of the jar.Thereafter, the cam 144 through rod 145 and shaft 146 lowers the pin 78to lock the die in closed position and at the same time presses gasket112 downwardly to engage firmly the die and form an air tight jointtherewith, whereby a vacuum chamber of minimum size is formed above thesplit die by the housing 111 and rin gasket 112. In the meantime, thepiston 21 as moved substantially to the position shown in Fig. 4 and thecylinder 20 is connected through the conduit 152 to the vacuum chamber.The respective cams 26,106 and 64 are so shaped that the partscontrolled thereby remain substantially in' position while the piston 21makes its downward stroke to exhaust the air from the vessel. At the endof the downward stroke, the cam 26 operates through the lever 132 andits associated toggle mechanism to press downwardly the upper die toengage the lower split die 72 to form a hermetic side seal on thevessel. The cam 26 then operates valve 25 to break the vacuum in thecylinder and in the vacuum chamber. Thereafter, the cams 144 and 106operate through their cam rods to unlock and open the split die 72.

The cam-64 through cam rod 51 then lowers the seat 49 and sealed jarthereon to its original position, at which point shaft 18 has made acomplete rotation and the clutch member 168 engages the member 162 todisen- 75 gage it from the projection 161 and stop the shaft 18 whilethe sealed jar is removed and replaced by another to be sealed insimilar manner.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a sealing machinecompletely automatic in all its operations, and one in which the humanelement is completely removed. All the vessels are sealed alike and havesubstantially the same vacuum therein. While 5 the preferred embodimentis described with particular reference to a self contained unit, many ofthe features are equally applicable to machines utilizing independentsources of vacuum and therefore the description is to be taken asillustrative and not in, a limiting sense as the scope of the inventionis defined in the following claims:

Having thus described my invention, what-1 I claim is a 1. In a vacuumsealing machine the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to receveive a vessel through the bottom thereof, oppositely disposed dies insaid chamber for sealing a vessel, one of said dies being adapted tocooperate with the vessel to close the bottom of said chamber, a pumpfor exhausting the air therefrom, and driving means common to said pumpand to said dies to operate them in' sequence.

2. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber, apump for exhausting air from said chamber, split members at the bottomof said chamber, means for raising the upper end of a 11 vessel throughsaid split members, devices for closing said split members about thewall of said vessel to close said chamber and to hold said vessel inposition, a pin for locking said.membcrs in closed position, and a dieadapted to cooperate with said split members for sealing said vessel insaid chamber.

3. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber, apump for exhausting air from said chamber, a pair of members at thebottom of said chamber pivoted together at one end and adapted to swingtoward and away from each other about said pivot, means for raising themouth of a vessel through said members, devices for closing said membersabout the wall of said vessel with the mouth ofthe vessel in the vacuumchamber to permit said pump to'exhaust the air from said vessel, andmechanism for sealing said vessel in said chamber.

4. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber, apump for exhausting air from said chamber, a pair of members at thebottom of said chamber pivoted together at one end and adapted to swingtoward and away from each other about said pivot in a horizontal plane,means for raising the mouth of a vessel through said members, devicesfor closing said die mem bers about the wall of said vessel with themouth of the vessel in the vacuum chamber to permit said pump to exhaustthe air from said vessel, a pin adapted to pass through the free ends ofthe members and lock them in closed position, and mechanism for sealingsaid vessel in said chamber. v

5. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber, apump for exhausting air from said chamber, a pair of members at thebottom of said chamber pivoted at one end, the other end of said membersbeing adapted to swing toward and away from each other about said pivot,means for raising the mouth of a vessel having a closure thereon throughsaid members, devices for closing said members about the wall of saidvessel with the closure and the mouth of the vessel in the vacuumchamber to permit said pump to exhaust the air from said vessel, andmechanism for sealing said closure on said vessel in said chamber.

6. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a shaft, means fordriving said shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, a cylindermounted above said shaft, a piston in said cylinder operativelyconnected to said shaft, means adapted to form anair tight chamber, saidmeans comprising a pair of die members operated by one of said cams andadapted to encircle the side wall of a vessel, a conduit connecting thespace above said members with said cylinder for exhausting airtherefrom, and a valve controlled by another of said cams to open theupper end of said cylinder to atmosphere substantially at thetermination of the exhausting stroke of the piston.

7. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a shaft, means fordriving said shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, a cylindermounted above said shaft, a piston in said cylinder operativelyconnected to said shaft, means adapted to form an air tight chamber,said means comprising a pair of members operated by one of said cams andadapted to encircle the side wall of a vessel and form an air tightjoint therewith, a conduit connecting the space above said mem bers withsaid cylinder for exhausting the air therefrom, a valve controlled byanother of said cams to open said cylinder to atmosphere substantiallyat the termination of the downward stroke of the piston, and sealingmeans for sealing said vessel when said piston has reached substantiallyits downward position.

8. Ina vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamberadapted to receive a vessel through the bottom thereof, a split memberat the bottom of said chamber adapted to cooperate with the side wall ofa vessel to close the chamber, a pump having its cylinder adjacent saidchamber for exhausting air therefrom, an open conduit to connect saidchamber with said cylinder at all times, a positively operated valve insaid cylinder for connecting it to atmosphere to break the vacuumtherein and for closing it during a substantial portion of the downwardstroke of the piston and driving means for said pump.

9. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamberadapted to receive a vessel through the'bottom thereof, a split die atthe bottom of said chamber adapted to cooperate with the side wall of avessel to close the chamber, a pump having its cylinder adjacent saidchamber for exhausting air therefrom, an open conduit to connect saidchamber with said cylinder at all times, a positively operated valve insaid cylinder for connecting it to atmosphere while the piston is inpredetermined positions and for closing it during the downward strokethereof, a die in said chamber adapted to cooperate with said split dieto seal said vessel, and mechanism for operating said pump, said splitdie, and said cooperating die in sequence.

10. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of oppositely disposedsealing dies adapted to seal a closure on a vessel, one of said diesbeing formed of a pair of members adapted to open to receive a vesseltherebetween and to close about the side Wall of the vessel to form anair tight joint between the vessel and said members prior to the sealingof the closure on the vessel, means for enclosing the space above saiddie member, a pump for exhausting the air in the space above said pairof members, and'means for operating said dies.

11. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of an upper sealing diemember adapted to move downwardly to engage a closure on a vessel, asecond die member formed of a plurality of parts adapted to moverelatively to each other to ,encircle the side wall of a vessel, meanson said second die member to form a substantially hermetic seal with theside wall of the vessel, means for moving to encircle the side wall of avessel, resilient means attached to said parts to contact with the sidewall of the vessel to form a hermetic seal thereabout, means for movingsaid parts, and means to move said upper die downwardly to press aclosure against said second die to seal it on a vessel.

13. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of an upper sealing dieadapted to move downwardly to engage a closure on a vessel, a second dieformed of a plurality of parts adapted to move relatively to each otherto encircle the side wall of a vessel, gaskets .attached to the inneredges of said parts to contact with the side wall of the vessel to forma substantially hermetic seal thereabout, means for moving said parts,means to move said upper die downwardly to press a closure against saidsecond die to seal it therebetween, means forming an enclosed chamberabove said second die and means for exhausting air fromthe said chamberprior to the sealing operation.

14. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of an upper sealing dieadapted to engagea closure on a vessel, a second die formed of a pair ofmembers hinged at one end, a yoke attached to said members eccentricallywith respect to said hinge, means forming an enclosed chamber above saidsecond die, means for moving said yoke relative to said hinge to openand close said members to engage and disengage the side wall of avessel, a pump for exhausting the air from the space above said members,devices for bringing said upper die into cooperation with said membersto seal a vessel, and means for locking said members in closed positionduring the sealing operation.

15. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of an upper sealingdie, a second die formed of a pair of members having apertures at theirrespective ends, a bolt anchored in said machine and extending throughthe apertures at one end of said members to form a hinged structure, ayoke attached to said members to open and close them about said bolt,means for inserting a vessel, having a closure thereon, between saidmembers with the closure in engagement therewith, means forming anenclosed space above said members, a pump to exhaust the air from thespace above said members, and devices for moving said upper sealing dieinto engagement with the closure to seal same on vessel.

16. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of an upper sealingdie, a second die formed of a pair of members having apertures .at theirrespective ends, a bolt anchored in said machine and extending throughthe apertures at one end of said members to form a hinge structure, ayoke attached to said members to open and close them about said bolt,means for inserting a vessel, having a closure thereon, between saidmembers whereby a hermetic seal is formed between said Vessel and saidmembers, locking means adaped to engage the apertures in the free endsof said members to lock them in closed position, means forming anenclosed space above said members, a pump to exhaust the air from saidspace, and devices for moving said upper sealing die into engagementwith the closure to seal same on vessel.

17. In a vacuum sealing machine for hermetically sealing beaded closureson vessels, the combination of an upper sealing die adapted to fit overa closure and engage the bead thereon, a second die formed of aplurality of members movable relative to each other, means for insertinga vessel between said members, devices for closing said second diemembers about said vessel with the die engaging the bead on the closure,locking meansto hold said members in closed position, gaskets fixed tosaid die members to con tact with the side Wall of the vessel to preventair from leaking therebetween, an enclosed chamber formed about said diemembers, a pump to exhaust air from the space above said members, andmechanism for advancing said upper die into engagement with the closureand said second die to form a side seal on said vessel.

18. In a vacuum sealing machine for hermetically sealing beaded closureson vessels, the combination of an upper sealing ,die adapted to fit overa closure and engage the bead thereon, a second die formed of aplurality of members movable relative to each other, means for insertinga vessel between said members, devices for closing said second diemembers about said vessel with the die engaging the bead on the closure,locking means to hold said members in closed position, gaskets fixedbeneath said die members and extending inwardly beyond the edge thereofto contact with the side wall of the vessel and prevent air from leakingtherebetween, means for enclosing the space about said die memberscomprising a ring gasket engaging the uppersurface of said members, apump to exhaust air from the space above said members, and mechanism foradvancing said upper die into engagement with the closure and saidsecond die to form a side seal on said vessel.

19. In a vacuum sealing machine, devices for moving a vessel to sealingposition, a

split die adapted to engage said vessel about its upper end below theclosure thereon, a gasket onsaid split die engaging said vessel andforming an air tight joint therewith, an upper die adapted to engagesaid closure and cooperate with said split die to form a hermetic sealon said vessel, a housing extending about said upper die, a ring gasketengaging said housing and said split die to prevent entry of airtherebetween, said housing, said gaskets and said split die forming withthe vessel and the frame of the machine an air tight chamber above saidvessel, means for exhausting the air from said chamber, and means foroperating said dies for sealing said vessel.

20. In a vacuum sealing machine, devices for moving a vessel to sealingposition, a split die adapted to engage said vessel about its upper endbelow the closure thereon, devices for locking said split die inposition about said container, gaskets on said split die engaging saidvessel and formingan air tight joint therewith, an upper die adapted toengage said closure and cooperate with said split die to form a hermeticseal on said Vessel, a housing extending about said upper die, a ringgasket engaging said housing and said split die to prevent entry of airtherebetween, said housing, said gaskets and said split die forming withthe vessel and the frame of the machine an air tight chamber above saidvessel, means for exhausting the air from said chamber, and means foroperating said dies for sealing said vessel.

21. In a Vacuum sealing machine, devices for raising a vessel to sealingposition, a split die adapted to engage said raised vessel about itsupper end below the closure thereon, a gasket on said split die engagingsaid vessel and forming an air tight joint therewith, an upper dieadapted to engage said closure and cooperate with said split die to forma hermetic seal on said vessel, a housing extending about said upperdie, a ring gasket engaging firmly said housing and said split die toprevent entry of air therebetween, means for adjusting the position ofsaid ring gasket, said housing, said gaskets and said split die to formwith the vessel and the frame of the machine an air tight chamber abovesaid vessel, a pump for exhausting the air from said chamber, and meansfor operating said dies for sealing said vessel.

22. In a machine for forming side seals on vessels, the combination ofoppositely disposed sealing dies, one of said dies comprising a pair ofmembers hinged at one end, whereby their free ends may open and closeabout the upper part of a vessel, the inner surface of said die membersbeing shaped to accommodate the bead of a closure, means cooperatingwith said pair of members to form a seal between said members and theside wall of the vessel, means to press said other die downwardly toengage the bead and press it against the lower die to expel the gaskettherefrom and to seal the vessel.

23. In a machine for forming side seals on vessels, the combination ofoppositely disposed sealing dies, one of said dies comprising a pair ofmembers hinged at one end, a yoke eccentrically attached to each of saidmembers and adapted to open and close the die about the upper side wallof a vessel,

24. In a sealing machine, the combination I of a chamber open at itsbottom portion, a pair of cooperating members hinged to each other andadapted to encircle the upper portion of a vessel to substantiallyenclose said chamber with the upper end of the vessel therein, and aring gasket adapted to engage said means and said chamber to form an airtight connection therebetween.

25, In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a chamber open atits bottom portion, a pair of cooperating members hinged to each otherand adapted to encircle the upper portion of a vessel to substantiallyenclose said chamber with the mouth of the vessel therein, a ring gasketadapted-to move downwardly to engage said members to form an air tightconnection with said chamber, and devices for moving said gasket whensaid members have closed about a vessel.

26. In a vacuum sealing machine,-the combination of a vacuum chamberadapted to receive a vessel through the bottom thereof, oppositelydisposed sealing dies in said chamber for sealing a vessel, one of saiddies being adapted to cooperate with the Vessel to close the bottom ofsaid chamber by forming an air-tight seal between said die and acontainer, and means for exhausting the air from said chamber.

27. In a vacuum sealing machine, the com bination of a vacuum chamberadapted to receive a vessel through an open portion thereof, sealingdies in said chamber for forming a side seal on a vessel, one of saiddies hermetically closing the open portion of said chamber by encirclingthe side wall of the vessel, and means for exhausting the air from saidchamber prior to the sealing operation.

28. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of oppositely disposedsealing dies adapted to seal a closure on a vessel, one of said diescomprising a plurality of members adapted to open to receive a vesseland to close about the side wall of the vessel to form an air tightjoint between the vessel and said members prior to the sealing of theclosure on the Vessel, a chamber about said plurality of members adaptedto enclose the upper end of the container, and means for operating saiddies to form a side seal between said closure and the side wall of saidvessel.

29. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuum chamber comprising an upperportion attached to the framework of the machine, a die adapted toencircle the side wall of a vessel and to form therewith the bottom ofsaid chamber, means to form a seal between said die and the vessel, aring gasket formin a part of the side wall of the chamber and closingthe space between said upper portion and said die, means to cooperatewith said .die to effect a seal on said vessel, and means to move saidring gasket downwardly to engage said die. 30. In a vacuum sealingmachine, the combination of a vacuum chamber comprising an upper portionattached to the framework of the machine, a die adapted to encircle theside wall of a vessel and to form therewith the bottom of said chamber,means to form a seal between said die and the vessel, a ring gasketforming a. part of the side walls of the chamber and adapted'to closethe space between said upper portion and said die, and means for movingsaid gasket downwardly into engagement with said die.

31. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber, apump for exhausting air from said chamber, a split member at the bottomof said chamber, means for raising the upper end of a vessel throughsaid split member, devices for closing said split member about the wallof said vessel to close said chamber and to hold said vessel inposition, a pin for locking said split member in closed position, andmechanism for sealing said vessel in said chamber.

32. In a vacuum sealing machine for hermetically sealing beaded closureson vessels, a vacuum chamber comprising an upper portion, means movablewith respect to said upper portion of the vacuum chamber to encircle thesidewall of a vessel and to form therewith the bottom of said chamber,means for forming a seal between said movable means and said vessel, anda ring gasket forming a part of the sidewall of the chamber and closingthe space between said upper portion and said movable means.

33. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a vacuum chamberadapted to receive a vessel through the bottom thereof,

die members adapted to close about the vessel to form an air-tight sealtherewith and to form the bottom of said vacuum chamber with the vesselextending partially therethrough, means for exhausting the air from saidchamber, and devices adapted to cooperate with said die members to seala closure to the vessel.

ABRAHAM PODEL.

